Volunteers needed for park work day

SARATOGA SPRINGS -- Friends of Saratoga Spa State Park will host an "I Love My Park" volunteer work day on Saturday.

Participants should meet at 9 a.m. at the large Saratoga Performing Arts Center sundial in the Route 50 parking lot.

The first 50 volunteers will receive a free T-shirt. Hot dogs will be provided.

Helpers are needed for two separate projects that will be taking place simultaneously from 9 a.m. to noon. The first is a park-wide spring cleanup including trail cleanup. This is suitable for participants of all ages.

Advertisement

Adults 18 and older are also needed to help clean up the park's dog park. Participants should bring garden gloves, rakes, water, snack, lunch, bug repellant and sunscreen. Poison ivy and insects might be present.

These efforts are among the more than 30 cleanup, improvement and beautification events taking place at parks across the state on Saturday.

Projects include cleaning up park lands and beaches, planting trees and gardens, restoring trails and wildlife habitat, removing invasive species and working on various site improvements.

"I Love My Park Day" is coordinated at the statewide level by Parks & Trails New York in partnership with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP). Friends groups and park staff will oversee cleanup, improvement and beautification projects and work with volunteers.

The New York state parks system has 178 state parks and 35 historic sites, covering a total of 325,000 acres. The park system includes a valuable collection of natural and recreational assets, including 1,350 miles of hiking trails, more than 8,000 campsites and numerous swimming pools, beaches, boat launches, nature centers and golf courses.

This collection of resources contributes significant benefits to New York state's economy, health, environment and history.

Anyone interested in volunteering at Saratoga Spa State Park on Saturday may register at: www.ptny. org/ilovemypark or by calling (518) 584-2000, ext. 117.